BAILDON’S left-arm spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has become the 14th man to take 1,000 Bradford League wickets at Morley.

The 53-year-old reached the milestone in his 21st season of playing in the league when he had Morley batsman Henry Rush caught at slip by Simon Bailey in Saturday's Championship One game.

The wicket sparked immediate celebrations with his team-mates who were delighted to acknowledge the achievement of the popular player.

Among those there to see him reach the landmark was the Baildon president John Helm, the highly-respected sports commentator.

He said: "Mushy is a Bradford League legend. It's a wonderful achievement and I am delighted for him. Now we need to persuade him to go on and take 1,000 wickets for Baildon."

To do that he would need to take another 84 as he has 916 for the Jenny Lane club.

Mushtaq was understandably pleased to join the distinguished band of bowlers to take 1,000 league wickets.

"I am both pleased and a little tired," he said, which might be understandable after also passing 5,000 career overs in the match at Morley.

"I think I could have had a lot more wickets as there have been chances missed off my bowling, but I am very happy."

Mushtaq made an immediate impact when he came into the league with Lidget Green in 1999, claiming 86 wickets at 10.45.

His performances led to Lidget Green winning promotion and he was signed by Baildon in 2000 and has played for them ever since.

His spin bowling was a key feature in Baildon’s surprise title triumph in 2009 when he claimed 62 wickets at 10.55.

His consistent wicket-taking and cheerful persona have made him a valued and popular figure ever since.

Mushtaq Ahmed's Bradford League record

Season Club Div Ovs M Runs Wkts Ave

1999 Lidget Green 2 368 111 899 86 10.45

2000 Baildon 1 297 66 894 66 13.54

2001 Baildon 1 289 69 899 55 16.34

2002 Baildon 1 200 49 747 35 21.34

2003 Baildon 1 335.4 100 919 57 16.12

2004 Baildon 1 291.1 80 850 44 19.32

2005 Baildon 1 277.2 77 711 48 14.81

2006 Baildon 1 278 65 753 46 16.36

2007 Baildon 1 250.1 68 656 50 13.12

2008 Baildon 1 232 66 605 59 10.25

2009 Baildon 1 256.4 75 654 62 10.55

2010 Baildon 1 201.2 38 634 35 18.11

2011 Baildon 1 233.2 52 774 46 16.83

2012 Baildon 2 233.3 78 492 57 8.63

2013 Baildon 1 245.5 62 760 35 21.71

2014 Baildon 2 204.2 60 547 52 10.52

2015 Baildon 2 187.5 46 536 28 19.14

2016 Baildon Ch A 166.2 44 409 39 10.49

2017 Baildon Ch 1 168 32 483 38 13.91

2018 Baildon Ch 1 185.5 34 608 45 13.51

2019 Baildon Ch1 100 20 279 18 15.5

Overall: 5000.1-1292-14109-1002 (Ave 14.08)